Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup mashed banana (about 2-3 medium bananas)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Glaze (optional):
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk (or as needed to thin)
Directions:
Prepare the dough:
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Stir until the yeast is dissolved, and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well.
Add the yeast mixture to the bowl and stir to combine.
Gradually add the flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once the dough starts to come together, add the mashed banana and continue mixing until the dough is smooth.
Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface until it becomes elastic and soft.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Prepare the cinnamon sugar filling:
In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
Roll out the dough:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick (approximately 12x18 inches).
Spread the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Roll and cut the cinnamon rolls:
Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough up into a tight log.
Slice the rolled dough into 12 even pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss for cleaner cuts.
Bake the cinnamon rolls:
Place the cinnamon rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, making sure they are snug but not overly tight.
Cover the dish with a clean towel and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have puffed up.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Prepare the glaze (optional):
While the rolls are baking, make the cream cheese glaze by beating together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the milk as needed to achieve a pourable consistency.
Glaze and serve:
Once the cinnamon rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls and serve.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes | Servings: 12